Talia's insides tightened. Alpha's challenge? Damon versus Alpha Edward? Damon could win with his eyes closed, but Alpha Edward was known for scheming, and Talia couldn't stop worrying. However, if she showed concern, it would be interpreted as her doubt in Damon's abilities, and she had to keep her chin high and her gaze unwavering.
The whole event hall was deadly silent. No one was talking. Even the music stopped.
"Wait a minute," Alpha Edward said. "Let's agree on conditions first."
"Conditions? We will follow the ancient rules. Winner takes it all," Damon spoke with confidence. He didn't want to let Alpha Edward do all the talking.
"Ancient rules it is," Alpha Edward agreed, and Damon's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Edward!" Luna Layla hissed while tugging on his sleeve. "What are you doing?"
"Let me handle this," he said to Luna Layla and then turned to speak to the people present. "I ask you to witness this challenge between two packs. As per ancient rules, one won't have an unfair advantage. If one doesn't have a weapon, the other can't use it either." Alpha Edward turned to Damon. "Is that fair?"
Damon confirmed, wondering if it would be this easy. Did Alpha Edward get a boost in strength or in stupidity? Surely, the old guy knew that he had no chance in a duel against Damon.
Alpha Edward continued, "Ancient rules also say that an Alpha can name a champion, per blood relation or ability."
Damon's brows came together. "You want to name someone to fight in your place?"
"Per ancient rules, that's an option."
"It is," Damon had to agree with this. Sure, it was an option, but no respectable Alpha ever went for it.
Damon realized what Alpha Edward's game was. The old guy didn't want to do it himself. But who could fight in his place?
'Can you ask Sandy to check if there are Guardians nearby?' Damon asked Talia.
'She is doing that the whole evening,' Talia confirmed. 'There are no Guardians in attendance.' But that didn't mean that some won't appear suddenly.
James and Cornelia entered the event hall. Cornelia's baby-blue dress was wrinkled, and James was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt he picked up from one of the clothes stashes next to the packhouse. It was not a secret that those two were rolling in the grass (there was grass in Cornelia's hair).
George was frantically mind-linking James to get his ass back from the moment Alpha Edward called for Owen, Dawn, and Zina to go there. George told James what was happening, and James couldn't believe his father openly challenged Damon. Something was off.
"James, my boy," Alpha Edward called. "You are back in time to see the monumental fight between two packs. Ancient rules apply; the winner takes it all."
Damon had to clarify. "All is… when I win, I get your pack?"
"The one who survives takes it all," Alpha Edward doubled down, and his eyes moved to Talia.
Damon released a low growl. "My mate is not for taking." How dares that lecherous bastard look at Talia like that?
Alpha Edward raised his hands. "Did the day come when Alpha Damon is not confident in his victory? I only wanted to confirm that your mate won't interfere with the fight. After all, she is an Alpha."
"My mate will stay on the side," Damon said stiffly.
Alpha Edward nodded. "Good to know. If one submits, he can keep his life, but he will live in shame forever. It will be up to the losing pack members to decide if they want to follow the winner or become rogues. How does that sound?"
Damon narrowed his eyes while scrutinizing Alpha William and Alpha Richard. The two stood behind Alpha Edward, and Damon didn't miss them exchanging nervous glances. This was not part of the plan. What was Alpha Edward thinking?
A few years ago, there was a scheme for several packs to attack the Dark Howlers pack and to share spoils. Was that what Alpha Edward was after?
'Keith!' Damon called through the pack link. 'Contact Caden and Maya and confirm that things are fine there.'
Keith stepped to the side while reaching for his phone.
'He will try to sabotage you,' Talia spoke to Damon through their mind-link.
Damon had to agree on how that was a possibility. 'Maybe. But… this is a fantastic opportunity to get rid of Alpha Edward. I can't pass on this. Help me keep an eye on him, kitten. Together, we can do this.'
Talia smiled. How could she say no to that?
"I assume you have the fighting area ready," Damon said. "Let us go there without delay."
Maddox, and Tony were by Damon's side already.
Other than Alpha Richard and Alpha William, present were also Alpha Adam from the Silverfur pack, Alpha Peter from the Evenfang pack, Alpha Robert, Alpha Patrick, as well as Alphas from a few smaller packs. Most of them stood neutral, not daring to pick a side. After all, Damon was a powerhouse, and Alpha Edward was the host. If Damon wins, wouldn't they all be stuck in the middle of a headless pack that's thirsty for revenge? They regretted not leaving sooner.
Damon and Talia followed Alpha Edward to the training area that was only a few minutes away. There was a large square etched into the ground. Numerous footprints in that square were proof that was the sparring grounds.
"This will do," Alpha Edward said. "Let's try to keep the fight contained to this area."
Damon looked around to see people taking spots around the border. Other than Alphas, their pack members were also there, and quite a number of warriors from the Red Moon pack. The non-Alpha people stood a bit further away to avoid getting caught in the surge of aura from people fighting.
The air was getting heavier by the minute as everyone was tense.
Talia closed her eyes and sensed the surroundings. 'I don't find anything out of place, Damon.'
'Stay on your toes,' Damon responded.
"Do you plan to use a Champion?" Alpha Edward asked Damon.
Damon was about to refuse. Since he became the Alpha of the Dark Howlers pack, Damon took part in many Alpha challenges, never via proxy. However, if one Alpha decided someone else to fight in his stead, it was expected for the other one to do the same.
If Caden were here, he would be a good candidate to fight as Damon's representative. With the rule of no advantageous weapons used, if one of the opponents was not an Alpha, using the Alpha aura was not allowed. But Caden was not present, and the only warrior whose abilities Damon knew was Keith.
Damon decided to ask first, "How about you?"
"I choose as my Champion…" Alpha Edward made a dramatic pause. "Commander George."
Damon needed a moment to process this. What the hell?
Alpha Edward smirked at Damon. "Don't tell me you don't have a suitable warrior to match my Commander. If not, you can always fight yourself or forfeit."
Damon's mind was working a million thoughts a second. Keith was capable, but was he on George's level? Even without an Alpha aura, George was an Alpha with strength and speed above others. On the other hand, if Damon fought against Commander George, even if he won, it wouldn't be considered honorable. After all, ancient rules were about power and honor. Was that what Alpha Edward was after? Damn it!
